Read the Bible with Me!

Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! I'm reading the Bible clear through this year, and I invite you to read along with me. But first, let us pray: 

God of my fathers, Lord of mercy,
who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have created people 
to rule this world that you have made,
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, 
and reject me not from among your children;
for I am your servant, the child of your handmaid, 
a weak human being,  
and lacking in comprehension of your Word and your will.

Send your Wisdom from the holy heavens,
from your glorious throne,
to be with me, to guide me,
to enlighten me, to lead me to you.
(Based on Wis 9)

Today's chapters are Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth) 1-3.

Today we begin a brief, puzzling, philosophical book filled with famous passages--starting with the very first words: "Vanity of vanities!"

The book goes by two names: In the New American Bible, and in the Catholic tradition generally, it is called Ecclesiastes, which is based on the Greek rendering of the Hebrew root behind Qoheleth, which is "congregation, assembly." So our narrator, usually identified as Solomon, is also called The Preacher.

Qoheleth is read in its entirety for the Jewish feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles or Booths, in mid-autumn).

Start reading here.

If you are looking for a solid but approachable companion to the Bible, I can wholeheartedly recommend A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre. Although the authors are top-level Scripture scholars, they write for "real" readers. Notes include recent findings from archaeology and ancient manuscripts, and how each book of the Bible has been understood by the Church Fathers and used in Liturgy.